I've started something in my own life called "ThinkTank". Not a revolutionary phrase, but a revolutionary concept, for me at least. I'm beginning to spend some time in my own personal life really hashing out some creative ideas. Something along the lines of brainstorming, but with God. I have ideas for songs, graphics and various other things rolling around in my head. I've asked people, friends and mentors about the ideas to get some degree of quality. I've been subjective and creative, but not really spiritual. Not sure if that makes sense, but I'll try and give some clarity.
I've realized that I've negelected God's opinion. Out of all the people I should be asking, I never asked God what He thinks of these ideas. It may seem obvious to ask God about songs that are giving Him praise, but what about graphics? What about set designs? Anyone out there really ask God if He likes what you've done with the place? I know I've never done that.
Now alot of my stuff hasn't or isn't being used in a church service as we speak. But the idea that I am doing these things to give God glory should be enough to spark a conversation between the two of us. Instead, I seek the council of friends and trusted mentors, whom are very helpful, but nonetheless not who I should be talking to.
So I've started ThinkTank. The concept is simple. I spend a few minutes to a few hours, however long it takes, with God. We talk about the different aspects of each element. More importantly, I listen to what He wants and what He doesn't want. It's SO simple and yet I've rarely done it. What an experiment!
Challenge Failed!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
So my challenge to find a job here in St. Louis has failed! I guess there are no jobs out there to be had! Either that or no one cares about the blog! :-)
Contest....
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
I'm working on a contest for all my blog, twitter, facebook, myspace readers/people. Here's the contest: If you can find me a job that pays over $60,000 a year plus benefits, I will give you half of what I make that year at said job. I know this sounds too good to be true, but I am DEAD SERIOUS!!!!!
There are several stipulations. First, I must get the job and keep it for at least 3 months. After that, you will start receiving the money. I can't just apply for it and not get it. Second, You must tithe 10% of what YOU EARN to the church/religious organization of your choice. This could be convoy of hope, your local church, my local church :-), World Vision International, Red Cross and so on. The only stipuation on this is that they must be a Christian organization and they must help people!!!
I'm completely serious and to prove that I am serious, if I do not hold up my end of the bargain, you may confiscate my imac, all my guitars, my macbook, my truck, and anything else you find of worth from my possessions.
This contest is localized to the St. Louis area, but don't fret! If you are out of the area, you can still participate!
Here's what you need to do:
Find the job
Contact me with the information
Send me an email @ geoffmclarty@gmail.com
I will then apply for the job
It is very simple! All you need is some connections and a willgness to earn money!
This contest will run through the next few weeks. I will let everyone know how it turns out!! Blessings!
There are several stipulations. First, I must get the job and keep it for at least 3 months. After that, you will start receiving the money. I can't just apply for it and not get it. Second, You must tithe 10% of what YOU EARN to the church/religious organization of your choice. This could be convoy of hope, your local church, my local church :-), World Vision International, Red Cross and so on. The only stipuation on this is that they must be a Christian organization and they must help people!!!
I'm completely serious and to prove that I am serious, if I do not hold up my end of the bargain, you may confiscate my imac, all my guitars, my macbook, my truck, and anything else you find of worth from my possessions.
This contest is localized to the St. Louis area, but don't fret! If you are out of the area, you can still participate!
Here's what you need to do:
Find the job
Contact me with the information
Send me an email @ geoffmclarty@gmail.com
I will then apply for the job
It is very simple! All you need is some connections and a willgness to earn money!
This contest will run through the next few weeks. I will let everyone know how it turns out!! Blessings!
Ray Boltz.... the tale goes on!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
I'm sure many of you have heard of Ray Boltz, or maybe just his music. The famous song writer who wrote and recorded Thank You, recently came out as a homosexual. Personally, I was never really moved by any of Ray's music, but that's because of stylistic differences. What saddens me is the comments he has made over the past few weeks. You can read his comments in the issue of Blade here: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2008/9-12/arts/feature/13258.cfm
What is most upsetting to me is Boltz's rationalization of his homosexuality. He says that God made him this way and that he wants to live the way God made him. I feel there is a misconception here that most people fail to admit. God created us, gave us the earth to inhabit, mates so we could populate, and a choice to follow Him. Adam and Eve sinned and unleashed it on their generations. We are sinners because of the choice of our ancestors. Once sin was introduced, we were left to deal with it. Fortunately Christ died on the cross for our sins. That means we have redemption through His blood. We only need to repent (turn from our sins) and trust in God. This is much easier said than done. I am sure that Ray's life has been a wreck for a very long time. God didn't create Him gay. God just allows free-will to be a part of the equation. No one ever said it was easy being a Christian. Having to turn from evil all the time. Personally, I know this struggle, and so does every other Christian out there. Sometimes our flesh wins out. Sometimes we have the strength to continue on the path that we have chosen in Christ. I hate to see the rationalization of sin as the "way God created us". It's more complicated than that. It's about the decisions we make and how we deal with our sins.
Someone made a clever comment on a blog I was reading. They said that if we use the rationalization of "this is the way God created us", then what can we say to the pedophiles, murderers, rapists? Do we tell them it's ok because God created them this way? No! We tell them that sin is a part of every persons life. That it is a struggle to be who God created us to be. That there are easier ways to live, but that we were meant for so much more. God loves EVERYONE and wants us to be with Him, but we have to make that choice. That choice involves denying ourselves some of the pleasures of this world. It involves laying down our desires and submitting. It's not easy, but it's rewarding in so many ways.
I earnestly pray for Ray Boltz. I pray that God would bring Him some tender correction. That the church would rise up and love Ray, but also stand up for the values that we believe in. It's time to stop rationalizing our sins, displacing our faults and begin to take responsibility for our actions, thoughts, and words. Ray, I believe you love God with all your heart. I believe you have a relationship with God. I just don't see where you can validate this sin with scripture. Correct me if I am wrong, but sacrificing for the cause of Christ is what every follower is called to do.
In the end, I can't judge Ray Boltz. I can only pray for him and his family. On the day of judgement, God won't ask me what I think of Ray Boltz. God will ask me what I did with my life. He'll ask me why I did and didn't do some things. There is only one person I am responsible for right now, that's me! Ray, keep on seeking God. Geoff, start seeking God more! Anyone reading, figure out to live up to God's potential and not what the world, or anyone else, wants you to be!
What is most upsetting to me is Boltz's rationalization of his homosexuality. He says that God made him this way and that he wants to live the way God made him. I feel there is a misconception here that most people fail to admit. God created us, gave us the earth to inhabit, mates so we could populate, and a choice to follow Him. Adam and Eve sinned and unleashed it on their generations. We are sinners because of the choice of our ancestors. Once sin was introduced, we were left to deal with it. Fortunately Christ died on the cross for our sins. That means we have redemption through His blood. We only need to repent (turn from our sins) and trust in God. This is much easier said than done. I am sure that Ray's life has been a wreck for a very long time. God didn't create Him gay. God just allows free-will to be a part of the equation. No one ever said it was easy being a Christian. Having to turn from evil all the time. Personally, I know this struggle, and so does every other Christian out there. Sometimes our flesh wins out. Sometimes we have the strength to continue on the path that we have chosen in Christ. I hate to see the rationalization of sin as the "way God created us". It's more complicated than that. It's about the decisions we make and how we deal with our sins.
Someone made a clever comment on a blog I was reading. They said that if we use the rationalization of "this is the way God created us", then what can we say to the pedophiles, murderers, rapists? Do we tell them it's ok because God created them this way? No! We tell them that sin is a part of every persons life. That it is a struggle to be who God created us to be. That there are easier ways to live, but that we were meant for so much more. God loves EVERYONE and wants us to be with Him, but we have to make that choice. That choice involves denying ourselves some of the pleasures of this world. It involves laying down our desires and submitting. It's not easy, but it's rewarding in so many ways.
I earnestly pray for Ray Boltz. I pray that God would bring Him some tender correction. That the church would rise up and love Ray, but also stand up for the values that we believe in. It's time to stop rationalizing our sins, displacing our faults and begin to take responsibility for our actions, thoughts, and words. Ray, I believe you love God with all your heart. I believe you have a relationship with God. I just don't see where you can validate this sin with scripture. Correct me if I am wrong, but sacrificing for the cause of Christ is what every follower is called to do.
In the end, I can't judge Ray Boltz. I can only pray for him and his family. On the day of judgement, God won't ask me what I think of Ray Boltz. God will ask me what I did with my life. He'll ask me why I did and didn't do some things. There is only one person I am responsible for right now, that's me! Ray, keep on seeking God. Geoff, start seeking God more! Anyone reading, figure out to live up to God's potential and not what the world, or anyone else, wants you to be!
Funny.... BUT Sometimes True
Friday, September 26, 2008
Lately, I've been dabbling in a little of everything when it comes to media. I've started updating the church website, working on powerpoint slide designs, making backgrounds for sermons, doing print and web artwork... basically trying to get into everything. It's been fun trying on different hats and I love wearing them all.
So I've been scanning the internet, looking for some inspiration. It's been really interesting and I've learned alot. Take a look at what I found on Church Marketing Sucks:
YOU’VE EVER CONTEMPLATED BREAKING INTO YOUR
OWN CHURCH IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT SO YOU CAN
DELETE THE COMIC SANS, PAPYRUS AND CURLZ
FONTS FROM STAFF COMPUTERS.
YOU’VE EVER USED A CROSS INSTEAD OF THE LETTER
T OR X.
YOU’VE EXPLAINED DPI MORE TIMES THAN YOU’VE
EXPLAINED YOUR FAITH.
REDESIGNING THE CHURCH LOGO IS A WEEKLY
PROJECT, YET YOUR NEW DESIGN IS NEVER USED.
THE WORDS “DON’T WORRY, THIS WILL ONLY TAKE A
MINUTE,” SEND YOU INTO FITS OF RAGE.
STAFF MEMBERS TRY TO MAKE YOUR JOB EASIER BY
ASKING YOU TO SEND THEM LAST YEAR’S FLIER AND
THEY’LL JUST ‘UPDATE IT A BIT.’
YOUR SUGGESTIONS ARE ALWAYS BRUSHED ASIDE
WITH, “BUT THAT’S HOW WE’VE ALWAYS DONE IT.”
THE DESIGN THEY HAD TO HAVE TOMORROW IS
NEVER USED. AND YOU’RE NEVER SURPRISED.
STOLEN IMAGES, PIRATED SOFTWARE AND BREAKING
COPYRIGHTS IS JUSTIFIED BECAUSE IT’S “GOD’S
WORK.”
YOU’VE EVER WONDERED WHY GOD GETS THE
CREDIT WHEN THINGS GO RIGHT, BUT YOU GET THE
BLAME WHEN THINGS GO WRONG.
YOU’VE EVER CAUGHT YOURSELF PROOFREADING
THE POWERPOINT SLIDES DURING WORSHIP.
YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF BILINGUAL BECAUSE
YOU’RE SO ADEPT AT TRANSLATING CHRISTIANESE.
YOUR ONLY INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP INVOLVES
LATE SATURDAY NIGHTS WITH THE CHURCH
PHOTOCOPIER.
YOU CAN’T ACTUALLY ATTEND THE EVENTS AND
PROGRAMS YOU WORK TO PROMOTE BECAUSE
YOU’RE TOO BUSY PROMOTING THEM.
RESEARCH FOR SERMON SERIES BRANDING MEANS
WATCHING TV.
YOU CAN’T INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO CHURCH
BECAUSE YOU’VE TOLD THEM TOO MANY NOT-SO-
FLATTERING STORIES ABOUT YOUR PASTOR.
YOU AND THE SENIOR PASTOR HAVE CONFLICTING
DEFINITIONS OF THE WORD “DEADLINE.”
IT’S PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE TO USE A VOLUNTEER’S
WORK OVER YOURS, BUT USING A VOLUNTEER’S
SERMON? THAT’S A GOOD JOKE.
PASTORS INEVITABLY BECOME YOUR ART DIRECTOR,
AND THEIR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH “ART”
INVOLVED CRAYONS.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A LEGITIMATE EXCUSE FOR LAST-
MINUTE CHANGES.
Now, most of these don't apply to myself, but I thought they were funny! I laughed so hard reading it because I've heard tons of friends mention a bunch of these!
So I've been scanning the internet, looking for some inspiration. It's been really interesting and I've learned alot. Take a look at what I found on Church Marketing Sucks:
YOU’VE EVER CONTEMPLATED BREAKING INTO YOUR
OWN CHURCH IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT SO YOU CAN
DELETE THE COMIC SANS, PAPYRUS AND CURLZ
FONTS FROM STAFF COMPUTERS.
YOU’VE EVER USED A CROSS INSTEAD OF THE LETTER
T OR X.
YOU’VE EXPLAINED DPI MORE TIMES THAN YOU’VE
EXPLAINED YOUR FAITH.
REDESIGNING THE CHURCH LOGO IS A WEEKLY
PROJECT, YET YOUR NEW DESIGN IS NEVER USED.
THE WORDS “DON’T WORRY, THIS WILL ONLY TAKE A
MINUTE,” SEND YOU INTO FITS OF RAGE.
STAFF MEMBERS TRY TO MAKE YOUR JOB EASIER BY
ASKING YOU TO SEND THEM LAST YEAR’S FLIER AND
THEY’LL JUST ‘UPDATE IT A BIT.’
YOUR SUGGESTIONS ARE ALWAYS BRUSHED ASIDE
WITH, “BUT THAT’S HOW WE’VE ALWAYS DONE IT.”
THE DESIGN THEY HAD TO HAVE TOMORROW IS
NEVER USED. AND YOU’RE NEVER SURPRISED.
STOLEN IMAGES, PIRATED SOFTWARE AND BREAKING
COPYRIGHTS IS JUSTIFIED BECAUSE IT’S “GOD’S
WORK.”
YOU’VE EVER WONDERED WHY GOD GETS THE
CREDIT WHEN THINGS GO RIGHT, BUT YOU GET THE
BLAME WHEN THINGS GO WRONG.
YOU’VE EVER CAUGHT YOURSELF PROOFREADING
THE POWERPOINT SLIDES DURING WORSHIP.
YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF BILINGUAL BECAUSE
YOU’RE SO ADEPT AT TRANSLATING CHRISTIANESE.
YOUR ONLY INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP INVOLVES
LATE SATURDAY NIGHTS WITH THE CHURCH
PHOTOCOPIER.
YOU CAN’T ACTUALLY ATTEND THE EVENTS AND
PROGRAMS YOU WORK TO PROMOTE BECAUSE
YOU’RE TOO BUSY PROMOTING THEM.
RESEARCH FOR SERMON SERIES BRANDING MEANS
WATCHING TV.
YOU CAN’T INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO CHURCH
BECAUSE YOU’VE TOLD THEM TOO MANY NOT-SO-
FLATTERING STORIES ABOUT YOUR PASTOR.
YOU AND THE SENIOR PASTOR HAVE CONFLICTING
DEFINITIONS OF THE WORD “DEADLINE.”
IT’S PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE TO USE A VOLUNTEER’S
WORK OVER YOURS, BUT USING A VOLUNTEER’S
SERMON? THAT’S A GOOD JOKE.
PASTORS INEVITABLY BECOME YOUR ART DIRECTOR,
AND THEIR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH “ART”
INVOLVED CRAYONS.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A LEGITIMATE EXCUSE FOR LAST-
MINUTE CHANGES.
Now, most of these don't apply to myself, but I thought they were funny! I laughed so hard reading it because I've heard tons of friends mention a bunch of these!
"Big Bang" Test
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Scientists are preparing to smash protons together in a 27-kilometre tunnel underground in late October. The team hopes to detect extra dimensions, 'dark matter' and the mysterious Higgs boson---- the so-called 'God particle'. They are trying to recreate what happened immediately after the Big Bang.
Personally, after reading this I am mystified! I never knew that science could come up with this kind of experiment. The only problem I have is that they are trying to collide protons together @ such high rates that the quarks inside the protons will collide. If you know anything about physics, you will understand that colliding protons together at such a high rate causes a huge amount of energy to be released. Now I really don't know much about the facility they are conducting this experiment in, but I do know that it is located in a mountain. I am thankful for that!! The fact is that releasing this amount of energy several times over (they are colliding several strains of protons together) can be pretty dangerous. If this were taking place here in St Louis, I might find myself out of town for a few days when it occurred. In any event, plenty of my friends have been talking about it!! They've said they are worried science is trying to disprove the existence of God and that this could be some sliver of hope for those trying to debunk God.
Personally, I have no problem with this! Go for it scientists! Try and prove that God doesn't exist! Finding out that there is some particle that started this whole thing does not prove that God is fake or that He doesn't exist! Quite the contrary! To me, that proves that God exists and that He actually works through science. Does it seem logical these protons and neutrons and gases all came from nothing? There has to be an existence greater than these few particles randomly colliding! Space is so expansive and so large that the likely hood of these particles colliding @ any point is so extreme without a greater being pulling them together.
My point being this, Christians are sometimes afraid of science and that is sad! Science is a wonderful thing. Every time science refines it's theories and practices, we are brought closer to the very existence of God! He constructed the universe! He brought things into existence with His very hands. Whether He used the "Big Bang" or some other way, the fact is that God created science and created our universe. He is not above using science to aide in creation. In fact, I'd bet my money on the idea that God used and uses science every day to bring about His will.
I'm pretty excited about this experiment and can't wait for the results! I just hope it doesn't rip open some weird black hole and swallow us all! Then I wouldn't be able to go to Sonic everyday for a Route 44 coke!
Personally, after reading this I am mystified! I never knew that science could come up with this kind of experiment. The only problem I have is that they are trying to collide protons together @ such high rates that the quarks inside the protons will collide. If you know anything about physics, you will understand that colliding protons together at such a high rate causes a huge amount of energy to be released. Now I really don't know much about the facility they are conducting this experiment in, but I do know that it is located in a mountain. I am thankful for that!! The fact is that releasing this amount of energy several times over (they are colliding several strains of protons together) can be pretty dangerous. If this were taking place here in St Louis, I might find myself out of town for a few days when it occurred. In any event, plenty of my friends have been talking about it!! They've said they are worried science is trying to disprove the existence of God and that this could be some sliver of hope for those trying to debunk God.
Personally, I have no problem with this! Go for it scientists! Try and prove that God doesn't exist! Finding out that there is some particle that started this whole thing does not prove that God is fake or that He doesn't exist! Quite the contrary! To me, that proves that God exists and that He actually works through science. Does it seem logical these protons and neutrons and gases all came from nothing? There has to be an existence greater than these few particles randomly colliding! Space is so expansive and so large that the likely hood of these particles colliding @ any point is so extreme without a greater being pulling them together.
My point being this, Christians are sometimes afraid of science and that is sad! Science is a wonderful thing. Every time science refines it's theories and practices, we are brought closer to the very existence of God! He constructed the universe! He brought things into existence with His very hands. Whether He used the "Big Bang" or some other way, the fact is that God created science and created our universe. He is not above using science to aide in creation. In fact, I'd bet my money on the idea that God used and uses science every day to bring about His will.
I'm pretty excited about this experiment and can't wait for the results! I just hope it doesn't rip open some weird black hole and swallow us all! Then I wouldn't be able to go to Sonic everyday for a Route 44 coke!
We've Launched
Monday, September 8, 2008
So it's Monday morning around 11.45 and yesterday we launched New Life Community Church. To understand what a moment this is you have to understand all the work that has gone into this church over the last few months. It started with small projects like cleaning up the office and moving Jason and Ashley into their apartment. Then a team from Ohio came down and helped us clean up the closets, fix broken drains in the parking lot and general cleaning around the place. Then we cleaned out the garage (which was one of the dirtiest places I've ever seen). We then organized the office and had a garage sale which all went great. Then a Young Adult team from Wisconsin came in and really got this thing movin! They painted most of the church (inside and out) and really helped us change the way the whole building looked! Since then we've painted a few more rooms, got the bathrooms rehabbed, tore down the chandeliers in the sanctuary (Hallelujah!!), redecorated the whole stinkin' place and replaced the sound board.
So after all that work has been completed (which is only part of what we've actually done), I have to say that I am so thankful for all the people that have been involved at New Life Community Church! With out all of you, we'd be up the creek without a paddle!
So as I sit here, thinking it is really nice to have launched New Life, I can't help but ask....... WHAT'S NEXT?
So after all that work has been completed (which is only part of what we've actually done), I have to say that I am so thankful for all the people that have been involved at New Life Community Church! With out all of you, we'd be up the creek without a paddle!
So as I sit here, thinking it is really nice to have launched New Life, I can't help but ask....... WHAT'S NEXT?
This Helped Me....
Monday, September 1, 2008
This video was truly inspirational to me. I think this guy has it right!!!
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=nyB-PpF20kI&feature=related
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=nyB-PpF20kI&feature=related
Sad Day.... for Christian Music
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Well, what can I say? It's another sad day for Christian music! I would normally say that a sad day for Christian music occurs when the "Dove" award goes to Point of Grace instead of a musical group who write their own music and make music, to which I can actually sing along. All joking and ribbing aside, it is a sad day for Christian music. As of Saturday, the world has started to hear that the wonderful worship anthem, "Healer", by Planetshakers Pastor Mike Guglielmucci was promoted as a fraud. Saturday the Executive Committee of the Australian Christian Churches (a member of the Assemblies of God) met with Mike and he told them that he did not have cancer. For those of you who know, 2 years ago Mike wrote a song called "Healer". This song started gaining momentum, when Mike told people that he had a rare form of cancer and that had been the inspiration for him writing the song. Since that point, Mike had been all over the world, singing his song, telling people about the reason that he wrote the song. Mike had become a huge inspiration to all those who heard the song and to those who were afflicted with any type of illness. Listening to the song took on a whole different meaning.
This was a huge shock to me, as I had been using the song is worship sets for the past year or so. I used it at Evangel University Chapel, 20Twenty and at countless worship sets since then. I love the song! It has a message that no matter what, God is still God and He is the ultimate Healer. In fact, this past Monday, I introduced the New Life Community worship team to the song and shared the story behind the song. Little did I know that the back story is a fraud! It makes me sad.... and at first, very angry!!!! How could someone weave a web of lies so thick? In fact, Mike performed "Healer" with the Hillsong worship team and recorded a live album/dvd that has since been released. The song hit #2 on the Australian charts. It has become a huge success and all because of a lie. Whether or not the song would have been as popular as it is without the back story, is hard to tell. All I can say is that I am having a hard time comprehending the whole thing.
That isn't the real reason I am writing this blog. The real reason is to talk about the way "we" need to deal with this situation and others like it. I can already tell that people across the world are going to come down real hard on this guy. That might be a fair response, seeing as he made a lot of money off the song and the donations that people made for him and his disease. I did at first! Then I had a second to think about it....
Mike was wrong... plain and simple!! He lied and took money from people on false pretenses. It is ridiculous how many people will and have been affected by this. BUT let's understand something. Mike sinned and he has to pay for his sins. That doesn't mean that we are judge and juror! He will have to explain all of this and pay back lots of money. He will have to do deal with the humiliation of being "that guy" for the rest of his life. It's going to be hard and very trying and he can't do it all on his own. Personally, I am going to be the hand of grace. I've made some mistakes and had plenty of moral failures in my life. They may have not been as large in scale as this one and may not have affected as many people, but I've still failed. I've fallen short of the Glory of God. I've given in to the flesh and fulfilled my own desires. So I know how it feels to be the one who falls short. So I'll be the first to say this:
Mike I forgive you! I know this isn't a proud moment for you. I know that people are going to
This was a huge shock to me, as I had been using the song is worship sets for the past year or so. I used it at Evangel University Chapel, 20Twenty and at countless worship sets since then. I love the song! It has a message that no matter what, God is still God and He is the ultimate Healer. In fact, this past Monday, I introduced the New Life Community worship team to the song and shared the story behind the song. Little did I know that the back story is a fraud! It makes me sad.... and at first, very angry!!!! How could someone weave a web of lies so thick? In fact, Mike performed "Healer" with the Hillsong worship team and recorded a live album/dvd that has since been released. The song hit #2 on the Australian charts. It has become a huge success and all because of a lie. Whether or not the song would have been as popular as it is without the back story, is hard to tell. All I can say is that I am having a hard time comprehending the whole thing.
That isn't the real reason I am writing this blog. The real reason is to talk about the way "we" need to deal with this situation and others like it. I can already tell that people across the world are going to come down real hard on this guy. That might be a fair response, seeing as he made a lot of money off the song and the donations that people made for him and his disease. I did at first! Then I had a second to think about it....
Mike was wrong... plain and simple!! He lied and took money from people on false pretenses. It is ridiculous how many people will and have been affected by this. BUT let's understand something. Mike sinned and he has to pay for his sins. That doesn't mean that we are judge and juror! He will have to explain all of this and pay back lots of money. He will have to do deal with the humiliation of being "that guy" for the rest of his life. It's going to be hard and very trying and he can't do it all on his own. Personally, I am going to be the hand of grace. I've made some mistakes and had plenty of moral failures in my life. They may have not been as large in scale as this one and may not have affected as many people, but I've still failed. I've fallen short of the Glory of God. I've given in to the flesh and fulfilled my own desires. So I know how it feels to be the one who falls short. So I'll be the first to say this:
Mike I forgive you! I know this isn't a proud moment for you. I know that people are going to
send their disappointments and anger to you in the form of letters, emails, phone calls and such. You are going to be tried in your faith and in your patience, but it's your time to step away and be with God and your family. Take some time to evaluate who you are and why
you are doing what you are doing. Spend time with God and truly repent. If you do that, God
will forgive you, and everyone else will eventually forgive you. I just want you to know that I
am praying for you and your family. Praying that restoration and healing will take place in an
instant, and that this situation will make your faith stronger! Please remember, that I love
you as a brother in Christ and you are not alone! Hold strong brother!
I know that Mike may never read this blog, and no one will probably care that I've forgiven Mike, but I want to start exercising the grace that God has extended to me. I want to be the agent of grace to those who might not normally receive it. I've been given several chances and plenty of grace, so it's time to start giving back. I pray everyone else will follow suit!
you are doing what you are doing. Spend time with God and truly repent. If you do that, God
will forgive you, and everyone else will eventually forgive you. I just want you to know that I
am praying for you and your family. Praying that restoration and healing will take place in an
instant, and that this situation will make your faith stronger! Please remember, that I love
you as a brother in Christ and you are not alone! Hold strong brother!
I know that Mike may never read this blog, and no one will probably care that I've forgiven Mike, but I want to start exercising the grace that God has extended to me. I want to be the agent of grace to those who might not normally receive it. I've been given several chances and plenty of grace, so it's time to start giving back. I pray everyone else will follow suit!
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